Course Name & Number

Composition I

ENGL 1301-870/871

Semester & Year

Fall 2017

Catalog Description

Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis.

Prerequisite:  Satisfactory placement test score or passing grade in ENGL 0305.

Instructor’s Name

Landon Pool

Office Phone #

972-829-4492

Instructor’s Office #

210

Office Fax #

E-mail Address

lpool@nctc.edu

Office Hours

1-3:30pm, M-F

Textbooks/Materials

Materials will be provided by the instructor.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete English 1301 will meet the following learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
2. Develop ideas with appropriate support and attribution.
3. Write in a style appropriate to audience and purpose.
4. Read, reflect, and respond critically to a variety of texts.
5. Use Edited American English in academic essays.

Core Objectives

Foundational Component Area:  Communication

Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively.  Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.

• Critical Thinking Skills (CT)- to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.

• Communication Skills (COM)- to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.

• Teamwork (TW)- to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

• Personal Responsibility (PR)- to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Grading Policy & Procedures

Grading Policy & Procedures (con’t)

Your total grade for the course consists of these percentages:

• Writings #1, #2, and #3 will be worth 15% each  
• Writings #4 and #5 will be worth 20% each

• Daily work points will be worth 15%

Daily work points are assigned on the following scale:

4 points for a complete assignment; 2 points for a partially completed assignment; and 0 points for not having the assignment. This will count for homework assignments brought to class and posted in Blackboard. Major assignments will be evaluated using letter grade criteria.

Grade Scale for Writing Assignments:

My grade scale for the course is a typical one used in many first-year writing programs at colleges: A= superior; B= above average; C= average; D= below average; F= unacceptable.  

Grade Conversion:

In order to tally grades, letters are converted to a traditional numbering system as follows:

A+ = 98; A = 95; A- = 92

B+ = 88; B = 85; B- = 82

C+ = 78; C = 75; C- = 72

D+ = 68; D = 65; D- = 62

The numerical assignments for “F” grades are made on a case-by-case basis, based upon the specific issues of a paper and can range from a 58 to a 0.

Scholastic Integrity

Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.  See Student Handbook “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” #18.

Disciplinary Actions [Student Handbook, #5] “When cheating, collusion, or plagiarism has occurred beyond any reasonable doubt, the instructor may give the student or students involved an “F” on a particular assignment or in the course. [See Scholastic Dishonesty FLB (Local)] The instructor shall make a written report of the incident and of the planned action to his Department Chair.  The Department Chair shall report the incident and action to appropriate instructional dean who shall review the case, notify the student and, if necessary, take further action.  This may involve either probation or suspension of the student or students in question. If such disciplinary action is deemed necessary, the Dean of Student Services shall be notified, and the action shall be taken through that office.”

Plagiarism, which should be avoided at all costs, includes the following student actions:

1. Turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own;
2. Unintentionally or inadvertently turning in someone else's ideas, opinions, theories, or work as your own as the result of failing to document sources both internally and in the Works Cited;
3. Copying words, ideas, or images from someone without giving credit; Failing to put a quotation in quotations marks;
4. Giving incorrect information about the source of information, quotations, or images;
5. Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit;
6. Copying so many words, ideas, or images from a source that it makes up the majority of the student's work, whether or not the student gives credit.

Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is November 9, 2017.

ADA Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs.  The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department.  Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance.  Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services.  

Disability Accommodations

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge, physical illness, or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a distraction-reduced environment, volunteer note taker in class, etc.

On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 in the Administration Building (100) or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209 to arrange for an intake appointment with OSD.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).

http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices/DisabilitiesFacultyResources.aspx

EEOC Statement

North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

Calendar or Course Outline (REQUIRED)

Tentative Schedule of Major Deadlines:

Paper 1:  The Value of College    Aug. 28 - Sept. 15

Paper 2:  Social Media            Sept. 18 - Oct. 6

Paper 3:  Horror Movies              Oct. 9 – Oct. 27

Paper 4:  Symbols in Literature    Oct. 30 - Nov. 17

Paper 5:  TBA                           Nov. 20 - Dec. 13

Other Pertinent Information

Writing Assignments:

You will write five major papers (including the final) this semester. I will give you an assignment sheet for all five major writing assignments; it’s your responsibility to keep these sheets and refer to them as you compose your paper.  In order to pass this class, you must turn in all five major writing assignments.  

Planning and Rough Drafts:

For all major writing assignments, you will be required to turn in planning and a rough draft along with your finished paper. If you do not turn in your planning and your rough draft, I will not grade your paper. In a process-based writing course, it is important to demonstrate how you generated and organized the major points of each of your papers.

Daily Work:

Because this is a process-oriented writing class, you can expect to have small assignments or parts of a paper assigned to you that will be worth a certain amount of points every day. You will also be expected to participate in small group work or provide me with a written response based on the reading you’ve done. You’ll earn points for this work, so it’s important that you be in class every day. If you’re sick or have a family emergency, or if you must participate in a University-sanctioned event, it may be possible for you to turn in some of this work for credit, but if the work is assigned and collected in class, it may not be possible to make it up.

Tobacco-Free Campus

NCTC restricts the use of all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco on campus property. NCTC is aware that tobacco use influences underage students, which cumulates unsightly tobacco litter and interferes with assuring clean air for all who come to NCTC. NCTC recognizes the health hazards of tobacco use and of exposure to second hand smoke. Information on a tobacco cessation program is available for students, faculty, staff who wish to stop using tobacco products. We would like to "thank you" for your help in making our campuses Tobacco-Free. For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Vice President of Student Services at 940-668-4240.